Congratulations to SLDN, and also to THEARC

 COLORADO SEN. MARK UDALL WITH SLDN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AUBREY SARVIS

You know the expression, "I don't get out much anymore." That's me these days, and happily, but I did get to a couple of landmark events. This evening I joined my friend and neighbor Aubrey Sarvis and his Service Members Legal Defense Network crew at KStreet Lounge, where they celebrated the first full day of repeal of "don't ask, don't tell." The line to get in was a block long. The party will go well into the night. A historic day.

 THE GATHERING CROWD IN THE FIRST FEW MINUTES OF THE SLDN PARTY

 PATRONS OF THEARC DURING COCKTAILS BEFORE THE SHOW, DINNER AND DANCING

Saturday night was a gala storming of Anacostia by an upper crusty crowd who rarely get over there. It was a fundraiser for THEARC, which stands for Town Hall Arts Recreation Center. It opened in 2005 and this was only its second fundraiser...and it was sold out. According to the website, "THEARC is a $27 million, 110,000 square foot, state-of-the-art campus located in Washington, DC's Ward 8.  With a mission of working to improve the quality of life for residents of Ward 8, THEARC is home to eleven of Washington, DC's best nonprofit agencies, all of which share the goal of helping children and adults reach their full potential."

 YOUNG ARTISTS AFTER PERFORMING "THRILLER"

The highlight of the evening was a performance of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" by young students. Chair Gina Adams of FedEx gave a welcoming speech, revealing her humble local roots and her enduring connection to the city. The Ballou High School marching band guided the dressed up audience from the theater to the gymnasium, which was transformed for dinner and dancing. 

 GINA ADAMS OF FEDEX

 EXUBERANT MEMBERS OF THE BALLOU HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND

 DC CAN BE PROUD OF ANACOSTIA'S THEARC